The red bull

Scott Severin feels revitalised after swapping Hearts for Aberdeen, and aims to re-establish his new club as Scotlands third force, writes Douglas Alexander

A coup for Aberdeen used to be stealing a player from under the noses of the Old Firm, now they must content themselves with beating Boston United to the punch. Nevertheless, the fact that Scott Severin eschewed that sleepy bolthole for Scottish Bosmans in England’s Football League Two, and also turned his back on Tynecastle for Pittodrie, was one of the more significant transfer stories of the summer.

It announced that Aberdeen were ambitious enough to pay the Scotland international midfielder, who has seven full caps, more than was on offer from Hearts. It also gave early evidence of the pulling power of Jimmy Calderwood, which supporters hope will lead to further signings and a higher profile. Although a decent offer from Aberdeen was already on the table, it took Calderwood’s appointment by Willie Miller to persuade Severin that the club really meant business.